Egg carton



Dec. 28, 1965 c u o 3,226,004

EGG CARTON Filed April 8, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR Hana/s ,4.Lf/luffo -MVMILW ATTORNEYS Dec. 28, 1965 F. A. CILLUFFO 3,225,004

EGG CARTON Filed April 8, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet a /N I I WavlXW l/ 36 3333 33 5 INVENTOR Franc! $14. 07/41/70 IFxeJZ BY 73 ATTORNEYS Dec. 28,1965 F. A. CILLUFFO 3,226,004

EGG CARTON Filed April 8, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR ATTORNEY5flame/s 14. [W/uffO Dec. 28, 1965 F. A. CILLUFFO EGG CARTON 4Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 8, 1963 INVENTOR Franc/IA. CW/uffo ATTORNEYSUnited States Patent 3,226,004 EGG CARTON Francis A. Cilluilo, Elmhurst,N.Y., assignor to Continental Can Company, Inc., New York, N.Y., acorporation of New York Filed Apr. 8, 1963, Ser. No. 271,348 11 Claims.(Cl. 22-28) This invention relates to a novel egg carton of the typehaving a plurality of egg receiving cells and a plurality of eggretaining tabs which automatically project into the egg receiving cellswhen a cover panel of the egg carton is closed to securely retain an eggin each of the egg receiving cells and permit visual inspection of eachegg through an opening formed by the automatically opening retainingtabs.

An object of this invention is to provide a novel egg carton including acover panel secured to an adjacent panel along a longitudinal fold line,a plurality of tabs being disposed along the longitudinal fold line,each of the tabs being defined by a cut line and a weakening line, theout line being located in the cover panel and extending across thelongitudinal fold line and the weakening line terminating at the outline on opposite sides of the longitudinal fold line whereby movement ofthe cover panel toward a closing position causes an automatic outwardprojection of each of the tabs from the plane of the cover panel and theformation of a viewing opening.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a novel egg cartondivided into a plurality of egg receiving cells by transverse andlongitudinal partition panels, the egg carton including a cover paneljoined to a rear panel along a longitudinal fold line, a pair of tabslocated along the longitudinal fold line and projecting into each of theegg receiving cells adjacent the longitudinal fold line, each pair oftabs being defined by a cut line normally traversing the longitudinalfold line and a weakening line on opposite sides of the out line, andeach weakening line terminating at the cut line on opposite sides of thelongitudinal fold line.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a novel egg cartonincluding front, bottom, rear, and longitudinal partition panels, acover panel being joined to each of the front and rear panels along arespective longitudinal fold line, a plurality of longitudinally spacedtransverse partition panels cooperating with the longitudinal partitionpanel to form a plurality of egg receiving cells, a pair of tabsprojecting into each of the plurality of egg receiving cells along thelongitudinal fold lines, each pair of tabs being defined by a cut linenormal to and extending across the longitudinal fold lines and aweakening line on opposite sides of the out line, and each of theweakening lines terminating at the out line on opposite sides of thelongitudinal fold lines.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a novel egg cartonof the type immediately above described and in addition, a locking panelbeing provided and joined to each of the cover panels along respectivelongitudinal fold lines, a and plurality of pairs of tabs identical tothe first mentioned tabs being formed from the material of each of theadjoining cover and locking panels.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel egg carton of thecharacter heretofore described wherein each of the cut lines issubstantially T-shaped or substantial I-shaped or includes asubstantially Y-shaped cut portion.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a novel egg cartonincluding, front, bottom and rear panels, a cover panel being joined tothe rear panel along a first longitudinal fold line, a cover lockingpanel being joined to the cover panel along a first longitudinal foldline, a cover locking panel being joined to the cover panel along asecond longitudinal fold line, the cover locking panel including aplurality of locking hooks cooperable with a plurality of locking slotsin an attaching panel joined to the front panel along a thirdlongitudinal fold line, a pair of tabs being provided along the firstlongitudinal fold line, each pair of tabs being defined by a cut linenormally traversing the first longitudinal fold line and a weakeningline on opposite sides of the cut line and spaced therefrom, and eachweakening line terminating at an associated cut line on opposite sidesof the first longitudinal fold line.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a novel eggcarton blank constructed from a substantially rectangular piece of sheetmaterial including a cover panel secured to an adjacent panel along alongitudinal fold line, a plurality of pairs of tabs disposed along thelongitudinal fold line, each pair of tabs being defined by a cut lineand a line of resilience on opposite sides of the out line which isgreater than the resilience of the sheet material blank, each cut linebeing located in the cover panel and extending normally across thelongitudinal fold line into the adjacent panel, and each of the lines ofresilience being spaced from the cut line along portions thereof yetterminating at the cut line in both the cover and adjacent panels.

With the above, and other objects in view that will hereinafter appear,the nature of the invention will be more clearly understood by referenceto the following detailed description, the appended claims and theseveral views illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary top perspective view of an egg cartonconstructed in accordance with this invention, and illustrates aplurality of inwardly projecting egg retaining tabs disposed along apair of longitudinal fold lines joining a cover panel to a rear paneland another cover panel to a front panel.

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary top perspective view of the egg carton ofFIGURE 1, and illustrates one of the cover panels in an open positionwith the egg retaining tabs therein disposed in the plane of the coverpanel, and a second cover panel of the egg carton in a partially closedposition tending to automatically project the egg staining tabs there-ofinwardly into a respective egg receiving cell of the egg carton.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 33 ofFIGURE 1, and shows two tabs projecting inwardly into respective eggreceiving cells of the egg carton.

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along line 44 ofFIGURE 3, and more clearly illustrates the construction of the eggretaining tabs of FIG- URES 1 through 3.

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary plan view of an egg carton blank from whichthe egg carton of FIGURES 1 through 4 is erected, and illustrates aplurality of egg retaining tabs formed along longitudinal fold lines ofthe blank by a plurality of cut lines extending normally across each ofthe longitudinal fold lines and a pair of weakening lines associatedwith each of the cut lines.

FIGURE 6 is a top perspective view of another egg carton constructed inaccordance with this invention, and illustrates a plurality of eggretaining tabs projecting into the interior of the egg carton and aviewing opening formed by each of the egg retaining tabs.

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along line 7-7of FIGURE 6, and illustrates two tabs projecting into associated eggreceiving cells of the egg carton.

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIGURE7, and more clearly illustrates the 3 construction of the plurality ofegg retaining tabs of the egg carton of FIGURE 6.

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary plan view of an egg carton blank which the eggcarton of FIGURES 6 through 8 is erected, and illustrates the particularcutting and weakening of the blank to form the egg retaining tabs.

FIGURE 10 is a fragmentary top perspective view of another egg carton,and illustrates two egg retaining tabs similar to the egg retaining tabsof FIGURES 1 through 9 of the drawings, but ditfering therefrom in theparticular configuration of a cut line forming each of the egg retainingtabs.

FIGURE 11 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view taken along line11-11 of FIGURE 10, and more par ticularly shows the egg retaining tabconstruction of the egg carton of FIGURE 10.

FIGURE 12 is a fragmentary plan view of a portion of an egg carton blankfrom which the egg carton of FIG- URES 10 and 11 is erected, andillustrates a substantially I-shaped out line extending across alongitudinal fold line of the carton blank.

FIGURE 13 is a fragmentary top perspective view of another egg carton,and illustrates an egg retaining tab projecting into the interior of theegg carton from each of two longitudinal fold lines and a viewingopening formed by the egg retaining tabs.

FIGURE 14 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view taken along line14-14 of FIGURE 13, and illustrates two egg retaining tabs projectinginto egg receiving cells of the carton and the particular configurationthereof.

FIGURE 15 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 15-15 ofFIGURE 14, and more clearly illustrates the formation of the eggretaining tabs.

FIGURE 16 is a fragmentary plan view of an egg carton blank from whichthe egg carton of FIGURES 13 through 15 can be erected, and illustratesa pair of cut lines extending across a longitudinal fold line, theconfiguration of each of the cut lines on opposite ides of thelongitudinal fold lines being substantially Y-shaped.

FIGURE 17 is a fragmentary top perspective view of an egg carton, andillustrates a plurality of egg retaining tabs formed at each of fourlongitudinal fold lines of the egg carton, the egg retaining tabsprojecting into the egg carton interior and forming viewing openings.

FIGURE 18 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along line18-18 of FIGURE 17 and illustrates a pair of egg retaining tabsprojecting into each of two egg receiving cells of the egg carton.

FIGURE 19 is a fragmentary top plan view of the egg carton of FIGURE 17,and more clearly illustrates each of the plurality of egg retaining tabsand the viewing openings formed by each of these egg retaining tabs.

FIGURE 20 is a plan view of an egg carton blank from which the eggcarton of FIGURES 17 through 19 is erected, and illustrates a pluralityof cut lines extending normally acros two longitudinal fold lines andweakening lines associated with each of the cut lines to form the eggretaining tabs of the egg carton of FIGURE 17 through 19.

FIGURE 21 is a fragmentary top perspective view of another cartonconstructed in accordance with this invention, and illustrates aplurality of pairs of egg retaining tabs arranged along a longitudinalfold line between a cover panel and a rear panel of the egg carton, andthe cover panel secured to an attaching strip of a front panel.

FIGURE 22 is a fragmentary top perspective view of the egg carton ofFIGURE 21, and illustrates the plurality of egg retaining tabs beginningto open as the cover panel is descended toward a closed position.

FIGURE 23 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along line23-23 of FIGURE 21, and illustrates one of the plurality of eggretaining tabs projecting into an egg receiving cell of the egg carton.

FIGURE 24 is a fragmentary top view of the egg carton I of FIGURE 21,and illustrates a plurality of openings formed by the plurality of eggretaining tabs.

FIGURE 25 is a fragmentary plan view of an egg carton blank from whichthe egg carton of FIGURES 21 through 24 is erected, and illustrates aplurality of cut lines and weakening lines forming the egg retainingtabs as well as a plurality of cooperative locking hooks and cooperativelocking slots for securing the cover panel in a closed position.

An egg carton constructed in accordance with this invention isillustrated in FIGURES 1 through 4 of the drawings and is generallydesignated by the reference numeral 10. The egg carton 11 is constructedfrom a substantially rectangular egg carton blank 11 of FIG- URE 5.

The egg carton 10 and the egg carton blank 11 include a first coverpanel 12 joined to a front panel 13 by a first longitudinal fold line14. A second cover panel 15 is joined along a second longitudinal foldline 16 to a rear panel 17. A first locking panel 18 is joined to thefirst cover panel 12 by a third longitudinal fold line 20 while a secondlocking panel 21 is joined to the second cover panel 15 along a fourthlongitudinal fold line 22. A first bottom panel 23 is joined to thefront panel 13 along a longitudinal line 24 while an identical bottompanel 25 is joined to the rear panel 17 along a similar longitudinallyextending line 26. A two-ply longitudinally extending partition panel 27joins the bottom panels 23 and 25.

Each of the bottom panels 23 and 25 is provided with a plurality oflongitudinally spaced identical slots 28. When the egg carton 111 iserected, as is shown best in FIGURE 2 of the drawings, an identicaltransverse partition panel 30 is inserted in each of the slots 28. Thetransverse partition panels 39 cooperate with the longitudinal partitionpanel 2'7 to divide the egg carton 10 into a plurality of identical eggreceiving cells 31.

As is best illustrated in FIGURE 5 of the drawings, a plurality ofidentical cut lines 32 are formed normal to the first fold line 14 andextend into portions of the first cover panel 12 and the front panel 13.A similar plurality ofidentical cut lines 33 extend normal to the secondfold line 16 and are disposed in portions of the second cover panel 15and the rear panel 17. The cut lines 32 and 33 are equally spacedalong'the respective first and second longitudinal fold lines 14 and 16.Each of the cut lines 32 normal to the first fold line 14 is inalignment with an associated one of the plurality of cut lines 33traversing the second longitudinal fold line 16. An imaginary line drawnbetween any two associated cut lines 32 and 33 divides the area of thebottom panels 23 and 25 between the slots 28 into equal parts. This ineffect locates the cut lines 32 and 33 centrally of each of the cells 31of the egg carton 10, as is best illustrated in FIG- URE 2 of thedrawings.

A pair of angular weakening lines 34 and 35 are each arranged onopposite sides of the out line 32. while an identical pair of angularweakening lines 36 and 37 are each arranged on opposite sides of the cutlines 33. The angular weakening lines 34 and 35 extend across the firstlongitudinal fold line 14 and terminate adjacent the ends of the cutlines 32. The angular weakening lines 36 and 37 similarly extend acrossthe second longitudinal fold line 16 and terminate adjacent the ends ofthe cut lines 33. The angular weakening lines 34-37 can be formed in anyone of a plurality of different ways well known in the paper making artas long as the resilience of the material at the weakening lines 34-37is greater than the resilience of the material of the blank 11 topromote folding along the weakening lines 34-37. The angular weakeninglines 34-37 are preferably formed by partially severing the outersurface of the material of the egg carton blank 11 without penetratingthrough the inner surface of the blank.

Each of the angular weakening lines 34 and 35 form a pair of eggretaining tabs 38 and 40. Each egg retaining tab 38 is bounded by anangular weakening line 34 and a cut line 32. Each egg retaining tab 40is bounded by an angular weakening line 35 and an associated cut line32.

The angular weakening lines 36 and 37 similarly form a pair of eggretaining tabs 41 and 42. Each of the egg retaining tabs 41 is set offby an angular weakening line 36 and a cut line 33, while each of the eggretaining tabs 42 is set off by a cut line 33 and an associated angularweakening line 37.

As is best illustrated in FIGURES 3 and 5 of the drawings, each of thecut lines 32 and 33 has a length D which is approximately 1 /2 inches inan actual egg carton constructed in accordance with this invention. Whenthe cover panels 12 and 15 of the egg carton are folded along therespective longitudinal fold lines 14 and 16 toward the closed positionof the egg carbon 18 illustrated in FIGURE 1, the ends of the cut lines32 and 33 tend to approach each other. This is shown in FIGURE 2 of thedrawings wherein the second cover panel is being folded about thelongitudinal fold line 16 in the direction of the broken arrow. As thesecond cover panel 15 is folded in the direction of the broken arrow,the distance D (see FIGURE 3) between the ends of each of the cut lines33 is progressively reduced until a distance D is reached when thesecond cover panel 15 is fully closed. This apparent shortening of thecut lines 33 as the second cover panel 15 approaches the reduceddistance D causes the plurality of pairs of egg retaining tabs 41 and 42along the longitudinal fold line 16 to automatically pop or projectinwardly into the egg receiving cells 31, as is best illustrated inFIGURES 3 and 4 of the drawings. Each of the inwardly projecting pair ofegg retaining tabs 41 and 42 contact and retain an egg E (see FIGURE 4)in each of the egg receiving cells 31 of the egg carton 1t).Simultaneously with this inward projecting of the plurality of the pairsof tabs 41 and 42, a vieweing opening 0 is formed between the eggretaining tabs 41 and 42 through which the condition of the eggs E canbe readily determined.

It should be particularly noted that the egg retaining tabs 38, -42project inwardly toward the egg receiving cells 31 only when the coverpanels 12 and 15 are folded toward the egg receiving cells 31. This isbest illustrated in FIGURE 2 of the drawings where the first cover panel12 is shown in a position folded away from the plurality of eggreceiving cells 31. In this position of the first cover panel 12, theplurality of pairs of egg retaining tabs 38 and 48 have not popped butrather, remain in the planes of the first cover panel 12 and the frontpanel 13 of the egg carton It). This is because the angular weakeninglines 34 and 35 in the outer surfaces of the egg carton 10 preventoutward projection of the egg retaining tabs 38 and 40.

Another egg carton constructed in accordance with this invention isshown in FIGURES 6 through 8 of the drawings and is generally designatedby the reference numeral 45. The egg carton is constructed from an eggcarton blank 46 of FIGURE 9 which is substantially identical to the eggcarton blank of FIGURE 5.

The egg carton 45 includes a first cover panel 47 joined to a frontpanel 48 along a first longitudinal fold line 50. A second cover panel51 is joined to a rear panel 52 along a second longitudinal fold line53. A first locking panel 54 is joined to the first cover panel 47 alonga third longitudinal fold line 55 while an identical second lockingpanel 56 is joined to the second cover panel 51 along a fourthlongitudinal fold line 57. A plurality of longitudinally spacedtransverse partition panels 58 cooperate with a longitudinally extendingpartition panel 60 to form a plurality of egg receiving cells 61.

A plurality of pairs of identical egg retaining tabs 62 are formed inthe egg carton 45 along the longitudinal fold lines 50 and 53. Each ofthe pair of egg retaining tabs 62 is identical, and the description ofthe egg retaining tabs 62 along the first fold line 50 is consideredsufficient for a complete understanding of this invention.

Each of the pairs of egg retaining tabs 62 along the first fold line 58is formed from a first angular weakening line or line of severance 63 onone side of a substantially T-shaped cut line 64 and a second weakeningline or line of severance 65 on an opposite side of the T-shaped outline 64. The weakening lines 63 and 65, as well as the cut line 64traverse the longitudinal fold line 50 and extend partially into thefirst cover panel 47 and the front panel 48. A first egg retaining tab66 of each of the pair of egg retaining tabs 62 is set off by theangular weakening line 63 and the T-shaped cut line 64. A second eggretaining tab 67 of the pair of egg retaining tabs 62 is similarly setoff by the T-shaped cut line 64 and an angular weakening line 65.

The plurality of pairs of egg retaining tabs 62 function in a manneridentical to that heretofore described in connection with FIGURES 1through 4 of the drawings. However, it should be noted that the T-shapedcut lines 64 permit the egg retaining tabs 66 and 67 to project inwardlyinto the egg receiving cells 61 of the egg carton 45 a greater amountthan the inward projection of the egg retaining tabs 38, 442 of the eggcarton 10.

Another egg carton 68 of FIGURES 10 and 11 is erected from a blank 70(FIGURE 12) similar to the rectangular sheet material blank 11 0f FIGURE5. The egg carton 68 includes a first cover panel 71 joined to a frontpanel 72 along a first longitudinal fold line 73. A second cover panel74 is joined along a second longitudianl fold line 75 to a rear panel 76of the egg carton 68. A first locking panel '77 is joined to the firstcover panel 71 along a third longitudinal fold line 78 while a secondlocking panel 80 is joined along a fourth longitudinal fold line 81 tothe second cover panel 74. A plurality of transverse partition panels 82(only one of which is illustrated) cooperate with a longitudinallyextending partition panel 83 to divide the egg carton 68 into aplurality of egg receiving cells (unnumbered).

A plurality of pairs of identical egg retaining tabs 84 are formed alongthe first and second longitudinal fold lines 73 and 75 respectively.Since the pairs of egg retaining tabs 84 are identical, the eggretaining tabs 84 along the first longitudianl fold line 73 will bedescribed immediately hereafter.

The plurality of pairs of egg retaining tabs 84 formed along the firstlongitudianl fold line 73 each include a first egg retaining tab 85 anda second egg retaining tab 86. The first egg retaining tab 85 is set offby an angular weakening line or line of partial severance 87 and asubstantially I-shaped cut line 88. The partial line of severance orweakening line 87 and the I-shaped cut line 88 each traverse the firstlongitudinal fold line 73 and extend partially into the first coverpanel 71 and the front panel 72, as is best illustrated in FIGURE 12 ofthe drawings. The second egg retaining tab 86 of each pair of eggretaining tabs 84 is set off by a second angular weakening line orpartial line of severance 90 and the substantially I-shaped cut line 88.

As shown in FIGURE 10 of the drawings, the plurality of pairs of eggretaining tabs 84 project inwardly into the egg receiving cells(unnumbered) of the egg carton 68 in a manner identical to thatheretofore described in the discussion of FIGURES 1 through 4 of thedrawings. The automatic popping or inward projecting of the pairs of eggretaining tabs 84 form egg viewing openings 0 which are slightly largerthan the egg viewing openings of the egg cartons 10 and 45 because ofthe I-shaped configuration of the cut lines 88. Each of the eggretaining tabs 85 and 86 also project into the egg receiving cells(unnumbered) of the egg carton 68 a greater amount than the eggretaining tabs of the egg cartons 10 and 45 because of the I-shaped cutlines 88. Otherwise, the construction and function of the plurality ofpairs of egg retaining tabs 84 of the egg carton 68 are similar to the 7operation and function of the egg retaining tabs 38, 411-42, 66 and 67.

An egg carton 91 of FIGURES 1 through is erected from a substantiallyrectangular egg carton blank 92 (see FIGURE 16) which is substantiallyidentical to the egg carton blanks 11, 46 and 711 of FIGURES 5, 9 and 12respectively.

The egg carton 1 includes a first cover panel 93 secured to a frontpanel 94 along a first longitudinal fold line 95. A second cover panel96 is joined to a rear panel 97 along a second longitudinal fold line98, A first locking panel 101 is secured to the first cover panel 93along a third longitudinal fold line 1111. The second cover panel 96 isjoined to a second locking panel 162 along a fourth longitudinal foldline 104. A plurality of transverse partitions 105 (only one of which isillustrated) cooperate with a longitudinal partition panel 106 to dividethe egg carton 91 into a plurality of egg receiving cells 167 (FIG- URE15). A plurality of pairs of identical egg retaining tabs 1138 areformed along the first and second longitudinal fold lines 95 and 98respectively. The pairs of egg retaining tabs 108 are identical andtherefore only the pairs of egg retaining tabs 108 formed along thefirst longitudinal fold line 95 will be described.

Each of the pairs of egg retaining tabs 108 along the longitudinal foldline 95 includes a first egg retaining tab 114 and a second eggretaining tab 111. The first egg retaining tab 116 is set off by apartial line of severance or weakening line 112 and a cut line 113. Theangular weakening line 112 and the out line 113 traverse the firstlongitudinal fold line 95 and extend partially into the first coverpanel 93 and the front panel 94 of the egg carton 21. The cut line 113includes a substantially Y- shaped cut portion 114 on each side of thelongitudinal fold line 95. The second egg retaining tab 111 is set offby the out line 113 and a second angular partial severance line orweakening line 115.

The plurality of pairs of egg retaining tabs 1118 automatically projectinwardly into the egg receiving cells 187 of the egg carton 91, as isbest illustrated in FIG- URES 14 and 15 of the drawings. These pairs ofegg retaining tabs 1118 operate in a manner identical to that heretoforedescribed with respect to the egg carton 10 of FIGURES 1 through 4 ofthe drawings, and a further discussion of the operation of the pairs ofegg retaining tabs 108 is deemed unnecessary for a completeunderstanding of this invention. The Y-shaped cut portions of the cutlines 113 do, however, provide larger viewing openings 0 than any of theviewing openings heretofore described, and also permit the egg retainingtabs 111) and 111 to project further inwardly into the egg receivingcells 107 of the egg carton 91 (see FIGURES 14 and 15).

An egg carton 116 of FIGURES 17 through 19 of the drawings is erectedfrom a sheet material egg carton blank 117, substantially identical tothe egg carton blanks heretofore described.

The egg carton 116 includes a first cover panel 118 joined to a frontpanel 120 along a first longitudinal fold line 121. A second cover panel122 is joined to a rear panel 123 of the egg carton 116 along a secondlongitudinal fold line 124. A first locking panel 125 is integrallyjoined to the first cover panel 118 along a third longitudinal fold line126. A second locking panel 127 is joined to the second cover panel 122along a fourth longitudinal fold line 128. A plurality of longitudinallyextending transverse partitions 130 (only one of which is illustrated)cooperate with a longitudinally extending partition panel 131 to dividethe egg carton 116 into a plurality of eggreceiving cells (unnumbered).

A plurality of pairs of longitudinally extending egg retaining tabs 132are formed in the egg carton 116 along each of the first, second, thirdand fourth longitudinal fold lines 121, 124, 126 and 128 respectively.Since each of the pairs of egg retaining tabs 132 is identical, the pairof egg retaining tabs 132 formed along 8 the first longitudinal foldline 121 will be described in detail.

The plurality of pairs of egg retaining tabs 132 along the firstlongitudinal fold line 121 of the egg carton 116 each includes a firstegg retaining tab 133 and a second egg retaining tab 134. Each eggretaining tab 133 of the plurality of pairs of egg retaining tabs 132 isset off by an angular partial line of severance or weakening line 135and a out line 136. The weakening line of severance 135 and the cut line136 traverse the first longitudnial fold line 121 and extend partiallyinto the first cover panel 118 and the front panel 120 of the egg carton116. Each of the second egg retaining tabs 134 of the plurality of pairsof egg retaining tabs 132 is set off by the cut line 136 and a secondartial line of severance or weakening line 137 which similarly traversesthe first longitudinal fold line 121 and extends into the first coverpanel 118 and the front panel 120.

When the first cover panel 118 and the second cover panel 122 are foldedto the closed positions thereof, the plurality of pairs of identical eggretaining tabs 132 pop or project inwardly (see FIGURE 18) in the mannerheretofore described with respect to the egg carton 15) to form aplurality of egg viewing openings 0. It will be noted by comparingFIGURES 1 and 3 with FIG- URES 17 and 18 of the drawings, that the eggcartons 10 and 116 are substantialy identical except for the pluralityof pairs of egg retaining tabs 132 of the egg carton 116 arranged alongthe third longitudinal fold line 126 and the fourth longitudinal foldline 128 of the egg carton 116. Thus, the egg carton 116 will retain anegg more securely in each of the egg receiving cells thereof because ofthe additional pairs of egg retaining tabs 132 formed along thelongitudinal fold lines 126 and 128. These additional plurality of pairsof egg retaining tabs 132 along the longitudinal fold lines 126 and 128additionally allow an egg in each of the egg receiving cells of the eggcarton 116 to be viewed from two different angles. Other than thesenoted differences, the plurality of pairs of egg retaining tabs 132along the longitudinal fold lines 121, 124, 126 and 128 of the eggcarton 116 function in a manner identical to the manner heretoforedescribed in the consideration of the egg carton 10 of FIGURES 1 through4 of the drawings, and a further discussion of this operation in deemedunnecessary for an understanding of this invention.

Another egg carton constructed in accordance with this invention isillustrated in FIGURES 21 through 24 of the drawings and is generallydesignated by the reference numeral 140. The egg carton 140 of FIGURES21 through 24 is constructed from a substantially rectangular sheetmaterial blank 141 which is similar to the egg carton blank of FIGURES5, 9, 12, 16 and 20 of the drawings.

The egg carton 140 includes a cover panel 142 secured to a rear panel143 along a longitudinal fold line 144. A front panel 145 of the eggcarton 140 is secured by an interrupted fold line 146 (see FIGURE 25) toan attaching panel 147. A plurality of hook-receiving attaching slots148 are formed in the attaching panel 147. Each of the hook-receivingattaching slots 148 cooperates with an associated hook 150 of the coverpanel 142 for securing the cover panel 142 in the closed positionthereof, as is best illustrated in FIGURES 21 and 23 of the drawings.

A plurality of longitudinally spaced transverse partition panels 151cooperate with a longitudinal partition panel 152 to divide the eggcarton 140 into a plurality of egg receiving cells 153,

A plurality of pairs of identical egg retaining tabs 154 are formedalong the longitudinal fold line 144 of the egg carton 140. As is bestillustrated in FIGURES 22 and 25 of the drawings, each of the pairs ofegg retaining tabs 154 includes a first egg retaining tab 155 and asecond egg retaining tab 156. The first egg retaining tab 155 is boundedby a partial line of severance or weakening line 157 and a out line 158.The weakening line 157 and the out line 158 extend across thelongitudinal fold line 144 partially into the cover panel 142 and therear panel 143. The second egg retaining tab 156 of each of theplurality of pairs of egg retaining tabs 154 is set off by the cut line158 and an associated partial severance line or weakening line 160. Theweakening line 169 similarly traverses the longitudinal fold line 14-4and terminates at the cut line 158 in both the cover panel 142 and therear panel 143 of the egg carton 140. When the cover panel 142 is foldedabout the longitudinal fold line 144 toward the closed position thereof(see FIGURE 22) the plurality of pairs of egg retaining tabs 154automatically pop or project inwardly toward a respective one of theplurality of egg receiving cells 153. The inward projecting pairs of eggretaining tabs 154 retain an egg in each of the egg receiving cells 153just as the eggs E are retained in the egg receiving cells 31 of the eggcarton 10 of FIGURES 1 through 4 of the drawings. The plurality of pairsof egg retaining tabs 154 also form a plurality of egg viewing openings(see FIGURE 24) through which the condition of the eggs in the eggreceiving cells 153 adjacent the longitudinal fold line 144 can bereadily observed.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that novel and advantageousprovision has been made for carrying out the desired end. However,attention is directed to the fact that variations may be made in theplurality of different egg retaining tabs of the example egg cartonsdisclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In containers of the type including an article compartment and atleast first and second panels joined to each other along a fold line,the improvement comprising a tab formed from and normally coplanar withthe first and second panels, said tab being defined by a cut line and aline which is weaker than the material of either of the panels, said outline being located in the first panel and extending at least slightlyacross the fold line into the second panel, and said weakening linebeing spaced to one side of said cut line and being located in both ofsaid panels and extending across said fold line, said weakening lineterminating at said cut line in both the first and second panels, saidweakening line defining means for permitting the automatic projection ofsaid tab from the normal coplanar position thereof into said articlecompartment upon the folding of said first panel relative to said secondpanel about said fold line in a first direction, and said weakening linealso defining means for preventingthe projection of said tab of thecoplanar relationship thereof with said first and second panels upon thefolding of said first panel relative to said second panel about saidfold line in a second direction opposite to said first direction.

2. A carton constructed from resilient sheet material comprising a frontpanel, a bottom panel, a rear panel, a cover panel joined to the rearpanel along a longitudinal fold line, a longitudinal partition panelbetween the front and rear panels, a plurality of longitudinally spacedtransverse partition panels between the front and rear panelscooperating with the longitudinal partition panel to form a plurality ofarticle reciving cells, a pair of tabs adapted to project'into at leastone of the plurality of article receiving cells, the pair of tabs beingnormally coplanar with said cover and rear panels, the pair of tabsbeing defined by a cut line and a line of resilience on opposite sidesof the cut line, the line or resilience being greater than theresilience of the sheet material, said cut line being located in thecover panel and extending at least slightly across the longitudinal foldline into the rear panel, each line of resilience being generally spacedfrom the out line and teminating at the out line both in the cover andrear panels of the carton said line of resilience defining means forpermitting the automatic projection of said tab from the normal coplanarposition thereof into associated ones of said article receiving cellsupon the folding of said cover panel relative to said rear panel aboutsaid longitudinal fold line in a first direction, and said line ofresilience also defining means for preventing the projection of saidtabs out of the coplanar relationship thereof with said rear and coverpanels upon the folding of said cover panel relative to said rear panelabout said longitudinal fold line in a second direction opposite to saidfirst direction.

3. A carton constructed from resilient sheet material comprising a frontpanel, a bottom panel, a rear panel, a cover panel joined to the rearpanel along a longitudinal fold line, a longitudinal partition panelbetween the front and rear panels, a plurality of longitudinally spacedtransverse partition panels between the front and rear panelscooperating with the longitudinal partition panel to form a plurality ofarticle receiving cells, a tab normally coplanar with said cover andrear panels adapted to automatically project into at least one of theplurality of article receiving cells, the tab being defined by a cutline and a line of resilience which is greater than the resilience ofthe sheet material, said cut line being located in the cover panel andextending at least slightly across the longitudinal fold line into therear panel, said line of resilience being generally spaced from the cutline and terminating at the cut line both in the cover and rear panelsof the carton said line of resilence defining means for permitting theautomatic projection of said tab from the normal coplanar positionthereof into said at least one article receiving cell upon the foldingof said cover panel relative to said rear panel about said longitudinalfold line in a first direction, and said line of resilience alsodefining means for preventing the projection of said tab out of thecoplanar relationship thereof with said rear and cover panels upon thefolding of said cover panel relative to said rear panel about saidlongitudinal fold line in a second direction opposite to said firstdirection.

4. In containers of the type includingat least an article receiving celland first and second panels joined to each other along a fold line, theimprovement comprising a tab formed from the first and second panels,said tab being normally coplanar with said first and second panels, saidtab being defined by a cut line and a line which is Weaker than thematerial of either of the panels, said cut line being located in thefirst panel and extending at least slightly across the fold line intothe second panel, said weaker line being generally spaced from the outline and terminating at the cut line both in the first panel and in thesecond panel, said weaker line defining means for permitting theautomatic projection of said tab from the normal coplanar positionthereof into said article receiving cell upon the folding of said firstpanel relative to said second panel about said fold line in a firstdirection, and said weaker line also defining means for preventing theprojection of said tab out of the coplanar relationship thereof withsaid first and second panels upon the folding of said first panelrelative to said second panel about said fold line in a second directionopposite to said first direction.

5. The carton as defined in claim 2 wherein said weaker line is a lineof partial severance located only in an external surface of the firstand second panels.

6. The carton as defined in claim 4 wherein said cut line is normal tosaid fold line.

7. The carton as defined in claim 4 wherein said cut line issubstantially T-shaped.

8. The carton as defined in claim 4 wherein said cut line issubstantially I-shaped.

9. The carton as defined in claim 4 wherein said cut line includes asubstantially Y-shaped cut portion,

10. A carton comprising a front panel, a bottom panel, a rear panel, afirst cover panel joined to the front panel along a first longitudinalfold line, a second cover panel joined to the rear panel along a secondlongitudinal fold line, a first cover locking panel joined to the firstcover panel along a third longitudinal fold line, a second cover lockingpanel joined to the second cover panel along a fourth longitudinal foldline, a longitudinal partition panel between the front and rear panels,a plurality of longitudinally spaced transverse partition panels betweenthe front and rear panels cooperating with the longitudinal partitionpanel to form a plurality of article receiving cells, a pair of tabsprojecting into each of the plurality of article receiving cells alongeach of the longitudinal fold lines, each pair of tabs being defined bya cut line traversing a longitudinal fold line and a Weakening line onopposite sides of the cut line, each weakening line terminating at thecut line on opposite sides of the longitudinal fold line, said tabsbeing normally coplanar with the panels from which they are formed, eachof said weakening lines defining means for permitting the automaticprojection of said tabs from the normal coplanar position thereof intoassociated ones of said article receiving cells upon the folding ofselected ones of said panels relative to adjacent ones of said panelsabout associated longitudinal fold lines in a first direction, and eachof said weakening lines further defining means for preventing theprojection of said tabs out of the coplanar relationship thereof withsaid panels from which said tabs are formed upon the folding of saidselected ones of said panels relative to said adjacent ones of saidpanels about said associated fold lines in a second direction oppositeto said first direction.

11. A carton comprising a front panel, a bottom panel, a rear panel, acover panel joined to the rear panel along a first longitudinal foldline, a cover locking panel joined to the cover panel along a secondlongitudinal fold line, the cover locking panel including a plurality oflocking hooks, an attaching panel joined to the front panel along athird longitudinal fold line and including a plurality of locking slotsadapted to receive the locking hooks of the cover locking panel, alongitudinal partition panel between the front and rear panels, aplurality of longitudinally spaced transverse partition panels betweenthe front and rear panels cooperating with the longitudinal partitionpanel to form a plurality of article receiving cells, a pair of tabsprojecting into each of the plurality of article receiving cells alongthe first longitudinal fold line, each pair of tabs being defined by acut line normally transversing the first longitudinal fold line, aweakening line on opposite sides of the cut line, each weakening lineterminating at the cut line on opposite sides of the first longitudinalfold line in the cover and rear panels said tabs being normally coplanarwith the panels from which they are formed, each of said weakening linesdefining means for permitting the automatic projection of said tabs fromthe normal coplanar position thereof into associated ones of saidarticle receiving cells upon the folding of selected ones of said panelsrelative to adjacent ones of said panels about associated longitudinalfold lines in a first direction, and each of said weakening linesfurther defining means for preventing the projection of said tabs out ofthe coplanar relationship thereof with said panels from which said tabsare formed upon the folding of said selected ones of said panelsrelative to said adjacent ones of said panels about said associated foldlines in a second direction opposite to said first direction.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 521,141 6/1894Fitch 22928 1,288,004 12/1918 Hughes 229-29 2,068,780 1/ 1937 Walsh22929 2,154,195 4/1939 Benoit 229-29 2,485 ,235 10/ 1949 Graf. 2,776,0821/1957 Bennorth 22928 FOREIGN PATENTS 480,563 1/1952 Canada. 753,344-7/1956 Great Britain.

JOSEPH R. LECLAIR, Primary Examiner.

FRANKLIN T. GARRETT, Examiner.

1. IN CONTAINERS OF THE TYPE INCLUDING AN ARTICLE COMPARTMENT AND AT LEAST FIRST AND SECOND PANELS JOINED TO EACH OTHER ALONG A FOLD LINE, THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING A TAB FORMED FROM AND NORMALLY COPLANAR WITH THE FIRST AND SECOND PANELS, SAID TAB BEING DEFNED BY A CUT LINE AND A LINE WHICH IS WEAKER THAN THE MATERIAL OF EITHER OF THE PANELS, SAID CUT LINE BEING LOCATED IN THE FIRST PANEL AND EXTENDING AT LEAST SLIGHTLY ACROSS THE FOLD LINE INTO THE SECOND PANEL, AND SAID WEAKENING LINE BEING SPACED TO ONE SIDE OF SAID CUT LINE AND BEING LOCATED IN BOTH OF SAID PANELS AND EXTENDING ACROSS SAID FOLD LINE, SAID WEAKENING LINE TERMINATING AT SAID CUT LINE IN BOTH THE FIRST AND SECOND PANELS, SAID WEAKENING LINE DEFINING MEANS FOR PERMITTING THE AUTOMATIC PROJECTION OF SAID TAB FROM THE NORMAL COPLANAR POSITION THEREOF INTO SAID ARTICLE COMPARTMENT UPON THE FOLDING OF SAID FIRST PANEL RELATIVE TO SAID SECOND PANEL ABOUT SAID FOLD LINE IN A FIRST DIRECTION, AND SAID WEAKENING LINE ALSO DEFINING MEANS FOR PREVENTING THE PROJECTION OF SAID TAB OF THE COPLANAR RELATIONSHIP THEREOF WITH SAID FIRST AND SECOND PANELS UPON THE FOLDING OF SAID FIRST PANEL RELATIVE TO SAID SECOND PANEL ABOUT SAID FOLD LINE IN A SECOND DIRECTION OPPOSITE TO SAID FIRST DIRECTION. 